Free Dancing With Raven (The Young Shakespeareans Series) by S.G. Rogers Page B

from the truth, actually.”
    The temperature gauge on the oven beeped, and Ian flinched. Although his father laughed about it afterward, Raven knew he wasn’t nearly as composed as he pretended to be. Perhaps he’s beginning to wonder if our presence in L.A. hasn’t put Tori in more danger than before. If so, I’m starting to agree with him.

Chapter Eight
    Cabbages and Kings
    O VER D INNER T HAT N IGHT , Tori told her foster mother about the school musical showcase. A gasp of pleasure escaped Misty’s lips and she clapped her hands together. “What a wonderful idea, Tori!”
    “I’m horribly scared. Acting and singing are not my strongest points.”
    “Nonsense. Your voice is lovely. I’ll call the piano tuner first thing in the morning. If you can get me the sheet music, I can help you prepare.”
    “That’s so sweet.” Tori paused. “There’s a new boy at school who’s going to coach me with my reading. Maybe between the two of you, I’ll get through this audition without wilting.”
    “A boy?” Misty’s eyebrows lifted. “I want to hear everything!”
    “Raven’s from London, and I’ve never met anyone like him. He’s gentlemanly and a marvelous actor.”
    “Sounds perfect so far. What does he look like?”
    “His hair is dark and wavy, and he wears it long…below his collar. He reminds me of a romance hero actually.”
    “I can tell you like him.”
    “Well…we didn’t hit it off at first, but he was very nice to me today when other people were being mean. We’re in homeroom, drama, and movement classes together. He’s my samba partner, actually.”
    “You’re nearly eighteen. It’s about time you had a boyfriend.”
    “He’s not my boyfriend. I barely know him.”
    “Do you know what I think? I think we should do something different with your hair,” Misty said. “Declare your independence from the ballerina look.”
    Tori blanched. “What did you have in mind?”
    “A new shoulder-length style might be just the thing to give you a little lift. Some layers will bring out your natural wave, and we can even put in some highlights.”
    Her reluctance was undisguised. “I suppose I could cut an inch or so…”
    “Where’s your sense of adventure? A beautiful head of hair is far sexier than a ballet bun.”
    Suddenly Tori felt self-conscious, and her fingers crept up to the thick chignon at the back of her neck. She’d worn her hair the same way since the age of thirteen. Would Raven prefer to see it down? In her mind’s eye, she pictured the sexless Kirstin, who wore her hair in a similar fashion. Shudder. I want to look as different from her as possible.
    “Maybe a change would be good,” Tori said.
    “I’ll take care of making the appointment, then, and we’ll go to the hair salon Thursday afternoon.”
    “Thanks, Misty. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

    After school the next day, Raven and Tori sat outside under a tree to work on their audition scene from R&J—The Musical . As she skimmed the words, she wrinkled her nose.
    “This might as well be gobbledygook for all the sense it makes to me.”
    “You’ve never read Shakespeare before?”
    “Not really. I saw the Zeffirelli version of Romeo and Juliet in an art house once.” She tapped the page. “That didn’t seem anything like this.”
    “The words are meant to be spoken. I think you’ll be able to understand better if we just read it aloud. Don’t worry about the accent for now.”
    As they went along, Tori’s furrowed brow relaxed and she glanced up at him. “You’re right, it’s beginning to make more sense.”
    “Splendid!”
    Her eyes crinkled with merriment. “You’re going to have to speak American if you want to hang with me.”
    “Did I say something wrong?”
    “The word ‘splendid.’ Try saying ‘cool’ instead.”
    Raven switched to an urban American accent. “It’s all cool. Yo, baby, let’s chill. Know what I’m sayin’?”
    Giggle. “Um…maybe